Lever safety carryover into 1965

[DuginMT]

I acquired a scoped Model 99 in good condition, .243 Win. Serial and date codes confirm it is a 1965, and made in Mass. While mine has a plastic buttstock and no load counter, it retains the lever lock safety, with no tang safety. I believe this was the basic version of this gun, as there is nothing fancy on it. The loaded round indicating pin is nice. Glad for the old style lever safety too!

[Model24]

Plastic stock? Forend, too? Never seen one, and I’ve searched. I’m building a similar vintage 243 from pieces, and just picked up a Boyd’s laminated.

[Mad Dog]

Old thread, I know but just in case anyone in the future is confused here, I'll answer it.

It's a model 99E.

After 1960 when the rest of the 99's went to the tang safety the model E stayed with a lever safety.

[J.Baker]

Classic Savage - using up excess inventory of obsolete parts on a budget model.

[tcassem]

I was just looking for this same information. I recently traded for a 99E, V code, .308, 20 inch barrel. I read that the tang safety started in 1960 or so but mine dated to 1968. Now I know that they did continue the lever safety (which I love) on the E models after 1960. Thanks! I know that this is not a very collectible model but it is in perfect shape with hardly a scratch on it. Seems to be very light as well.